Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
For some, it feels like their front door is locked even after they’ve checked it four or five times. For others, it’s a fear of germs that turn into obsessive handwashing. Another person might be plagued with obsessive thoughts about the danger they’re in if they take a different route to work.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that revolves around intrusive thoughts and fears. In turn, these fears and thoughts turn into obsessive behaviors. There’s often no logical reason for these thoughts and obsessions…and yet they trap you into a cycle that never seems to get better.
OCD can leave you feeling embarrassed, ashamed, and isolated. When OCD doesn’t seem to respond to traditional treatment, it leaves you feeling hopeless. However, there’s a reason to hope: Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS.
Often working where other forms of treatment fail, TMS offers real hope to people struggling with OCD. Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry proudly offers TMS as part of our comprehensive mental health services.
How Can TMS Help Treat OCD?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a completely non-invasive way to change activity in our brains. According to the International OCD Foundation, it does so by using magnetic fields to carefully target specific areas of the brain. Stimulating areas of the brain affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) helps reduce the symptoms of this mental health disorder.
Also, the pulses – delivered by an electromagnet carefully placed against the scalp – help the brain engage in neuroplasticity, which helps create new, healthy pathways.
TMS for OCD has become more common in recent years, helping people reduce their symptoms and live happier lives where they’re the ones in control, not OCD.
How Can TMS Help Me?
TMS has multiple benefits:
- TMS Has Minimal Side Effects: While some people report minor side effects like scalp discomfort or a headache, TMS side effects are generally far less severe than those of SSRIs and other drugs.
- TMS Helps Your Brain Function Better: Treating OCD isn’t the only way TMS can help you. In the long run, TMS helps your mood improve, makes you feel more energetic, and seems to improve sleep habits, too.
- TMS Doesn’t Need Anesthesia: Since there’s no surgery involved, you don’t need anesthesia to have TMS – with sessions lasting between 15 and 30 minutes, you can get treated on your lunch break.
What Is OCD?
OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a mental health disorder that involves certain behavior patterns related to unwanted, intrusive thoughts and fears. Known as obsessions, these thoughts and fears often inspire you to engage in repetitive behaviors known as compulsions.
Obsessions often have a general theme, such as a fear of dirt or viruses, an extreme need for order and balance, unwanted thoughts, and more. Compulsions, meanwhile, are irrational behaviors that act as a way to comfort the stress caused by obsessions.
What Are Anxiety Disorders?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) belongs to a family of mental health conditions called anxiety disorders. These disorders revolve around sensations of intense fear and anxiety. While those are normal emotions everybody feels from time to time, anxiety disorders often cause you to feel intensely frightened and scared when there’s no good reason to feel that way.
Anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder, also known as panic attacks
- Social anxiety disorder
- Phobias
- Anxious depression, which some researchers call mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MADD)
All these disorders can be extremely disruptive, making daily functioning difficult if not impossible. But there’s good news: OCD and other anxiety disorders are treatable. Treatment like transcranial magnetic stimulation can help you manage your symptoms of OCD, helping you live a life where you’re in the driver’s seat…not OCD.
Do I Have OCD? Symptoms of OCD
OCD has very distinct symptoms, consisting of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, mental images, and feelings that cause intense stress. These lead to compulsions, repetitive behaviors that act as a way to reduce the anxiety that obsessions cause.
OCD Obsessions
The obsessions OCD causes can include:
- Feeling intense stress when things are out of order
- Thinking objects like doorknobs that other people touch will contaminate you
- Intrusive thoughts about behaving oddly in public, driving into oncoming traffic, or causing physical harm to others or yourself
- Avoiding situations like shaking hands
- Fears that you forgot to lock your door, turn off your sink, or you left something in the oven
OCD Compulsions
OCD can cause certain compulsions, such as:
- Repetitively cleaning and/or washing
- Constant hand washing, even if it’s damaging your hands
- Following highly specific routines
- Engaging in rituals like repeatedly tapping certain objects, counting things, or repeating certain sayings to yourself
- Checking and rechecking that you’ve locked your door, turned your oven off, or made sure your car is locked
OCD Statistics
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), OCD seems relatively rare compared to other mental disorders. The agency reports that an estimated 1.2% of US adults had OCD during the last year. The condition also seems to be somewhat more prevalent among women and younger adults.
Who Gets OCD?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), OCD seems relatively rare compared to other mental disorders. The agency reports that an estimated 1.2% of US adults had OCD during the last year. The condition also seems to be somewhat more prevalent among women and younger adults.
Who Gets OCD?
OCD does have something in common with other disorders: anyone can get it. Age, gender, income, and more tend not to affect how OCD develops.
That said, there are certain risk factors that make it more likely for OCD to develop.
Biological Factors
Imbalances of neurotransmitters (chemicals in our brain that help send signals to nerve cells) and differences in brain structure can be a factor in OCD.
Personality Traits
People with perfectionist traits or who are pessimistic and anxious can have a bigger chance of developing OCD.
Family History
Although no gene factor for OCD has been discovered, having parents or other close relatives with OCD is a contributing factor for OCD.
Stress & Trauma
Exposure to major stress and trauma, like violence and disease, can trigger OCD, especially if a person is already at risk.
Other Factors
OCD often begins in childhood, and it sometimes accompanies other mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
How Can I Help a Loved One with OCD?
Watching someone struggle with OCD can be devastating. The behaviors this treatable mental disorder causes can be heartbreaking to see.
Although OCD can make you feel helpless, it’s possible to find meaningful, compassionate ways to support your loved one and remind them they’re not alone.
- Learn About OCD: Understanding OCD and its symptoms can help you avoid feeling frustrated while helping you better understand your loved one.
- Listen With Empathy: OCD can really test your patience. Remember that your loved one is struggling and acknowledge their feelings even if you don’t get what they’re going through.
- Build a Judgment-Free Space: When your loved one knows they can speak their mind without being afraid or criticized, they’re much more willing to talk about their feelings. Also, it can make them open to the next step: getting help.
- Gently Suggest Professional Help: If they’re open to it, suggest they find professional help for OCD. Help them search for options, and if they need it, drive them to appointments.
- Take Care of Yourself, Too: Self-care is critical when helping others. Remember to get sleep, eat regular meals, and reach out for support if you’re struggling.
What Happens if OCD Isn’t Treated?
Unfortunately, OCD doesn’t stay the same when it’s untreated. Like other mental health disorders, OCD tends to get worse when its symptoms are untreated.
OCD Symptoms Get Worse
Left untreated, OCD’s obsessions steadily become more intrusive…and more frequent. Compulsions are often exceptionally disruptive; they can even occupy most of your waking hours.
Daily Functioning Becomes Harder
As we mentioned in the last section, OCD is capable of being extremely disruptive, making everything from your sleep schedule to your relationships very difficult. You may find yourself avoiding certain places, people, and even objects, as well.
Shame & Stress Grows, Too
Many people struggling with OCD blame themselves for their symptoms, which quickly becomes a heavy emotional load. It’s one of the reasons stigma is such a problem; these perceptions often cause people to deny themselves effective treatment.
OCD Can Cause Other Issues
OCD often occurs with depression and/or other anxiety disorders. Left untreated, OCD’s constant stress and exhaustion can develop into additional mental health disorders.
OCD is treatable…and responds well to treatment. With the right help, you’ll be able to safely explore the roots of your condition, identify your triggers, and live a life where you’re the one in charge, not OCD.
Take Your First Step Toward Freedom from OCD
Break the cycle and reclaim your life. Contact Anew Era today for a FREE consultation and to learn more about effective, non-medication OCD treatment options. You deserve a life where OCD isn’t in control. Your path toward lasting relief can start today.
